Powered blending container

ABSTRACT

A blending device is shown and described. The blending device may include a blending container and a power source operatively connected to the blending container. The power source may be configured to supply power to the blending container. The blending container may also include a feature that is powered by the power source.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/213,557, entitled “POWERED BLENDING CONTAINER,” filed on Mar. 14,2014, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/787,594 entitled “SELF-POWERED AND CHARGING BLENDER JAR,” filed onMar. 15, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present teachings generally relate to a powered blending container,more specifically a blending container powered by a power sourceoperatively connected to the blending container. The blending containerincludes features powered by the power source such as illuminatedgradient markings, temperature sensors, interlocking features, vibrationdetection sensors, and sensors to detect air pockets.

BACKGROUND

Blenders to facilitate the processing of food, drinks, and other blendedfood preparations, have become ubiquitous in both commercial andresidential settings. Such appliances are particularly useful wherethere are a variety of operations to be performed repeatedly withaccuracy and precision.

Presently, blending containers are not powered. Having a separate powersource for the blending container permits the addition of features thatwill further facilitate commercial and residential uses of blenders. Forexample, a powered blending container could include gradient markingsthat are luminescent. This would be of particular use in areas with lowlighting, such as bars or restaurants, and would permit a user to moreaccurately measure ingredients in such environments.

SUMMARY

A blending device is shown and described. The blending device mayinclude a blending container and a power source operatively connected tothe blending container. The power source may be configured to supplypower to the blending container. The blending container may also includea feature that is powered by the power source.

A blending device may include a blending container and a wireless powersource positioned in the blending container for supplying power to theblending container. The blending container may also include gradientmarkings that are powered by the power source.

A blending device may include a blending container and a wireless powersource operatively coupled to the blending container. The wireless powersource may be directly connected to the blending container to supplypower to the blending container. The blending container may alsocomprise a wireless sensor that is powered by the wireless power source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The operation of the invention may be better understood by reference tothe detailed description taken in connection with the followingillustrations, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blending device.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of an external charging stand.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a blending device with a sensor includedin the blending container.

FIG. 4A is a first cross-sectional view of a blending container.

FIG. 4B is a second cross-sectional view of a blending container.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the blade base.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of a blender base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of thepresent teachings, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilizedand structural and functional changes may be made without departing fromthe respective scope of the present teachings. Moreover, features of thevarious embodiments may be combined or altered without departing fromthe scope of the present teachings. As such, the following descriptionis presented by way of illustration only and should not limit in any waythe various alternatives and modifications that may be made to theillustrated embodiments and still be within the spirit and scope of thepresent teachings.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a blending device10 made in accordance with the present teaching is shown. The blendingdevice 10 may include a blending container 14 and a blending base 18.

Blending container 14 may include a lid 22, a body 26, a handle 30, anda base 34. The blending container 14 may have a power source 36positioned in the blending container 14 at any appropriate location. Byway of a non-limiting example, the power source 36 may be positioned inthe body 26, in the handle 30 or in the base 34. The power source 36 isconfigured to provide power to the blending container 14. The powersource 36 may be of any appropriate type—the present teachings are notlimited to the power source 36 shown herein. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, the power source 36 is an energy storage device, such as abattery 36. The battery 36 may be a rechargeable battery or anon-rechargeable battery. For those embodiments in which the battery 36is a rechargeable battery, the battery 36 may be charged by the blenderbase 18 or by an external charging stand 40. The blending container 14may be stored and charged on the external charging stand 40 when not inuse.

The blending container 14 may include features that require power suchas illuminated gradient markings, sensors, or a microprocessor. In theembodiment shown in FIG. 1, the blending container 14 includes gradientmarker elements 44 that are luminescent. The power for illuminating thegradient marker elements 44 comes from the power source (e.g., thebattery 36). The gradient marker elements 44 may be illuminated in anyappropriate manner. The gradient marker elements may be individualelements and may be illuminated together or individually. For example,the illuminated gradient marker elements 44 may provide instructions forusers to add ingredients during operation of the blending device 10 ormerely as an illumination source for the blending container 14.

The blending container 14 may include gradient markers on a displaypanel that is attached to or is an integral part of the blendingcontainer 14. It will be appreciated that the display panel could be anyappropriate means for displaying information, including, but not limitedto an LCD, LED or OLED display.

Further still, the blending container 14 may include a light, such as anLED light or the like. The power source (e.g., the battery 36) mayprovide power to illuminate such light. The light may allow users to seethe blending container 14 in dark conditions, e.g., in a dark bar.

As described below, the blending container 14 may be in operativecommunication with the blending base 18, the blending device 10 and/orother wireless devices. The display panel may display informationreceived from sensors contained within the blending container 14 orinformation received from the blending base 18 or the blending device10. The display panel may further display information received fromanother wireless device that is in operative communication with theblending container 14. For example, a wireless device, such as a tablet,may be used to download recipes or blending programs from a remotedatabase or website, such as www.vitamix.com, and download the recipesor programs to the wireless device. The wireless device may thencommunicate the recipe information to the blending container 14 by wayof a wireless controller. A display on the blending container 14 canthen display the recipe information to the user in a step by step formatso that the user can easily follow the recipe instructions while usingthe blender.

By way of a non-limiting example, the user may be directed to addingredients to the blending container 14 upon illumination of one ormore of the gradient marker elements 44. Further still, the amount ofingredients may be indicated by illuminating a predetermined one or moreof the gradient marker elements 44 so that the user may add suchingredient up to the illuminated gradient marker elements 44. Similarly,the blending container 14 may direct the user to turn on or off aspecific blending process, such as through illumination of the gradientmarker elements 44 and/or the light. In these embodiments, the light orgradient marker elements 44 may illuminate when the user is to take astep with regard to a recipe, e.g., turn off the blending system 10.

The blending container 14 may include a sensor that is powered by thepower source. The sensor may be a wireless sensor operatively coupledwith the power source. It should be understood that the sensorsdescribed herein are non-limiting examples of the types of sensors thatcan be powered by the power source of the blending container 14. Itshould be further understood that any appropriate method for displaying,notifying or otherwise interpreting the information from the sensors canbe used in the blending device 10 of the present teachings.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the blending container 14 includes asensor 52 for detecting the temperature of the contents of the blendingcontainer 14. A display 48 may be operatively connected to the sensorand may display the temperature of the blending container 14 contents tothe user. The sensor may be in operative connection with an alarm thatis triggered when a desired temperature is reached. By way of anon-limiting example, the alarm may be illumination of the gradientmarker elements 44 or light, may be an audible alarm or a combination ofsuch.

The blending container 14 may include a sensor for detecting an airpocket in the content of the blending container 14. The sensor may beoperatively connected to a display system that provides notification tothe user that there is an air pocket in the contents of the blendingcontainer 14. The user can then remove the air pocket by, e.g., stirringthe contents, utilizing a tamper to tamp the contents, or adjusting thespeed of the blending system 10 accordingly. Further, the sensor may beoperatively connected to a control panel that adjusts the blending speedto eliminate the air pocket.

The blending container 14 may include a sensor for detecting vibrationsof the blending device 10. The sensor may be operatively connected to acontrol panel, a display panel or to the blade assembly 56. If, forexample, the vibrations from the blending device 10 exceed apredetermined threshold, the display panel may alert the user and/or theblending device 10 may automatically turn off via the control panel. Byway of a non-limiting example, the control panel may alert the user byilluminating one of the gradient marker elements 44 or the light,provide an audible alert or a combination of such.

As identified above, the blending container 14 may include the lid 22selectively attached thereto. A sensor for detecting presence of the lid22 may be included in the blending container 14. The blending container14 and the lid 22 may include an interlock feature. The interlockfeature may be of any appropriate configuration to generally prevent theblending device 10 from operating when the lid 22 is not on the blendingcontainer 14 or is not positioned correctly on the blending container14. If the sensor does not detect presence of the lid 22 on the blendingcontainer 14, the blending device 10 may be configured to be disabled,i.e., not operate.

In an embodiment, the lid 22 may include a magnet and the blendingcontainer 14 may include a magnet and a sensor, such as a reed switch(not shown) in its proximity. The reed switch may be utilized toindicate when both magnets are in sufficient proximity to indicate thatthe lid 22 is on the blending container 14.

The blending container 14 may include a sensor as part of an interlockfeature 60. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the blendingcontainer 14 and blade assembly 56 may include the interlock feature 60.The interlock feature 60 may be of any appropriate configuration togenerally prevent access to the blade 124 when it is spinning. As shownin FIG. 4A, for example, the blending container 14 may include a firsttab 192 extending therefrom. As shown in FIG. 4A, the first tab 192 mayinclude a magnet 196 embedded therein. The at least one magnet 196 maybe secured with the blending container 14 in any appropriate manner. Byway of a non-limiting example, the magnet 196 may be welded into apocket 200 formed in the blending container 14 between the inner layer84 and the outer layer 88. In a further non-limiting example, the magnet196 may be adhered, such as through use of an adhesive, between theinner layer 84 and the outer layer 88 of the blending container 14.

Further, as shown, the blending container 14 may include a second tab204 extending therefrom. The second tab 204 may be of a similarconfiguration as the first tab 192, but may be of a different size.Further, the second tab 204 may be offset from the first tab 192 alongthe circumference of the blending container 14 at an angle that is otherthan 180 degrees. In other words, the first tab 192 and second tab 204are not aligned with one another, as described in more detail below. Thesecond tab 204 may include a second magnet 208 embedded therein. Thesecond magnet 208 may be welded into a second pocket 212 formed in theblending container 14 between the inner layer 84 and the outer layer 88.In a further non-limiting example, the second magnet 208 may be adhered,such as through use of an adhesive, between the inner layer 84 and theouter layer 88 of the blending container 32. While the first tab 192 andsecond tab 204 with the magnet 196 and second magnet 208 are shown anddescribed, any number of tabs and magnets may be used without departingfrom the present teachings. Further still, the number of tabs andmagnets utilized are not limited to that shown. Any appropriate numberof tabs and magnets may be utilized, e.g., three, four, etc.

In these embodiments, the first magnet 196 and second magnet 208 may bepositioned in the tabs 192 and 204, respectively. Once inserted therein,the inner and outer layers 84, 88 may be sonic welded together. Oncesonic welded, the magnets 196 and 208 are melted into the tabs 192 and204 capturing the magnets 196 and 208 between the inner and outer layers84, 88.

As shown in FIG. 6, the blender base 24 may include a lip 216 in theopening 116 in the pedestal 76; the lip 216 may generally encompass amajority portion or all of the opening 116. The lip 216 may includefirst and second recessed portions 220, 224. The first and secondrecessed portions 220, 224 may be configured such that the tab 192 andsecond tab 204 are selectively and operatively engageable with suchfirst and second recessed portions 220, 224. The first recessed portion220 may be shaped and sized such that only the first tab 192 may becapable of operatively engaging it. Similarly, the second recessedportion 224 may be shaped and sized such that only the second tab 204 isoperatively engageable therewith.

Further each of the first and second recessed portions 220, 224 mayinclude a sensor, such as a reed switch (not shown) in its proximity.The reed switch may be utilized to indicate when both of the tab 192 andsecond tab 204 are operatively positioned within the first and secondrecesses 220, 224. Contacts of the reed switch may be in normally openposition when the magnets 196 and 208 are not in proximity thereto,i.e., when the tabs 192 and 204 are not positioned in the first andsecond recessed portions 220, 224. When the magnets 196 and 208 withinthe tabs 192, 204, respectively, are moved in operative proximity to thereed switch, the reed switch will close, i.e., the reed switch willclose when a magnetic field is present. Once the magnets 196 and 208 aremoved away from the switch, the reed switch will go back to its originalopen position.

When the reed switch is in the open position, the motor (not shown) isconfigured to be disabled, i.e., not operate. When the motor isdisabled, the blade assembly 56 and more particularly, the blade 124 isnot capable of operation. Therefore, in order to operate the blendingsystem 10, the blending container 14 and blade assembly 56 must beoperatively coupled with the blender base 18. Specifically, the tabs 192and 208 must be operatively positioned within the first and secondrecessed portions 220, 224, respectively in order for the blendingsystem 10 to operate. This generally prevents the user from being ableto access or otherwise contact the blade 124.

The blending container 14 may be connected to a microprocessor. Themicroprocessor may be configured to receive inputs from the user (e.g.,push-button controls) or from the sensors. The microprocessor mayfurther be configured to receive power from the power source and toperform the tasks described herein. For example, the microprocessor mayreceive input from the sensors and may be programmed to carry out giventasks based on sensor inputs. The display on the blending container 14may display any appropriate message received from the microprocessor.

The blending container 14 may include a wireless controller forcommunicating with the blending base 18 or the blending device 10. Theblending container 14 may be configured to communicate wirelessly withother wireless devices (not shown), such as a smartphone, computer,tablet, personal computer, NFC point, or other wireless device. Thewireless device may be capable of sending or receiving data, such as ablender program, recipe data or system settings, to the blendingcontainer 14 by way of a wireless controller.

The wireless controller may include a memory, a processor, and awireless control module. The wireless signal may be any wireless signal,such as a Wi-Fi signal, Bluetooth signal, ZigBee signal, or cellularnetwork signal. The wireless controller may be integrally formed withthe blending container 14 or may be removably connectable to theblending container 14 through a communication port.

In an embodiment, the wireless device may be capable of downloading andrunning a software application. The software application may be capableof connecting to a network, such as the Internet. The softwareapplication may be capable of accessing step by step recipes or blendingprograms from a remote database or website, such as www.vitamix.com, anddownloading the recipes or programs to the wireless device. One exampleof communicating the recipe, or other information, from the wirelessdevice to the blending container 14 is through near field communication.For instance, data can be exchanged (e.g., recipes) between the wirelessdevice and the blending container 14 when they are brought into apredefined close proximity of each other. The wireless device may thencommunicate the recipe information to the blending container 14 by wayof the wireless controller. A display on the blending device 10 can thendisplay the recipe information to a user in a step by step format sothat the user can easily follow the recipe instructions while using theblender.

In an embodiment, the blender container 14 may communicate with awireless device such as a tablet. The wireless device may transmit arecipe to the blending container 14. Using the wireless device, a userindicates when each step of the recipe has been completed (e.g., theingredients have been added to the blending container). Once the stepsof the recipe have been confirmed, the wireless device may transmit theblend profile (e.g., the motor speed, duration, etc.) to the blendingcontainer 14. Instructions to start the blending device 10 may bereceived from the tablet or the user may start the blending device by,for example, hitting the start button on the blending device 10.

In an embodiment, the blending container 14 includes one or more sensorsconfigured to sense parameters of the blending device 10. The blendingcontainer 14 further includes a wireless controller configured to send awireless signal related to one or more of the sensed parameters. Thesensed parameters may include temperature, cycle time, cycle count, orother parameters. The blending container 14 may communicate the sensedparameters to the blending device 10.

In an embodiment, the wireless controller is configured to receive ablending program. The blender container 14 may communicate the blendingprogram to the blending device 10. The blending program may comprise atleast one motor speed and at least one time interval for the given motorspeed. The program may be stored on a memory and recalled by theblending container 14 or the blending device 10.

The power source for the blending device 10 may be positioned in theblending container 14, e.g., in the lid 22, the body 26, the handle 30,the base 34 or any combination thereof. The power source may also belocated in the blending base 18 such that when the blending container 14is attached to the blending base 18, the power source positioned in theblending base could be used to power the blending container 18. Thepower source may be wireless. Non-limiting examples of power suppliesinclude energy storage devices and rechargeable and regenerative powersupplies.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the power source is an energystorage device, specifically a battery 36 located in the handle 30 ofthe blending container 14. The battery 36 can be a rechargeable battery.The battery 36 can be recharged using the base of the blending device10. For example, when the base 18 of the blending device 10 is pluggedin, the power from the base may be used to charge the rechargeablebattery 36. The battery 36 may also be charged on an external chargingstand 40 when the blending device 10 is not being used. In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 2, the charging stand 40 is generally shapedlike the blender base 18. However, it should be appreciated that thecharging stand 40 may be of any appropriate configuration and is notlimited to that shown and described. For example, the charging stand 40can accommodate the blending container 14 such that the base of theblending container 14 is in contact with the charging stand 40.Alternatively, the lid portion of the blending container 14 could be incontact with the charging stand (i.e., the blending container 14 can bestored upside down on the charging stand).

The blending container 14 can also be powered using regenerative energy.For example, a coil may be embedded or encapsulated in the blendingcontainer 14. A magnet in operative proximity to the coil induces anelectrical current and provides power to the blending container 14. Themagnet moves with the movement of the blending device 10. When themagnet passes by the coil in the blending container 14, an electriccurrent is induced and is available to provide power to the blendingcontainer 14. The magnet may be positioned in the blender base 18. Theregenerative energy may be used to charge the rechargeable battery 36.

Other types of energy may be used to power the blender container 14. Forexample, solar energy could be the power source or could be used torecharge the power source.

Any of the described power sources could be used to charge or rechargean energy storage device such as a battery or capacitor.

Although the embodiments of the present teachings have been illustratedin the accompanying drawings and described in the foregoing detaileddescription, it is to be understood that the present teachings are notto be limited to just the embodiments disclosed, but that the presentteachings described herein are capable of numerous rearrangements,modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of theclaims hereafter. The claims as follows are intended to include allmodifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope ofthe claims or the equivalent thereof.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blending device comprising: a base comprising amotor; a blending container operatively positionable on the base, theblending container comprising a blade assembly; a lid selectivelyattached to the blending container; an interlock feature containedwithin the blending container and the lid, the interlock featurepreventing operation of either the blade assembly or the motor when thelid is not positioned on the blending container; and a wirelesscontroller positioned in the blending container, the wireless controllerconfigured to communicate with the base, wherein the interlock featurecomprises a sensor configured to detect presence of the lid on theblending container, and wherein the sensor and wireless controller aresealed within a body of the container; and wherein the wirelesscontroller is configured to communicate with a wireless device toreceive a recipe from the wireless device, and configured to receive acommand from the wireless device to start the motor.
 2. The blendingdevice of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a reed switch.
 3. The blendingdevice of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet positioned inthe lid and a reed switch positioned in the blending container.
 4. Theblending device of claim 3, wherein the reed switch indicates when themagnet in the lid is in proximity to the reed switch to indicate thatthe lid is positioned on the blending container.
 5. The blending deviceof claim 1, wherein the wireless controller comprises a near fieldcommunication device.
 6. The blending device of claim 1, wherein thewireless controller is configured to communicate utilizing near fieldcommunication.
 7. The blending device of claim 1, wherein the wirelesscontroller is configured to communicate with the wireless device usingnear field communication to receive the recipe.
 8. The blending deviceof claim 1, wherein the interlock feature prevents operation of theblade assembly and motor when the lid is not positioned on thecontainer.
 9. The blending device of claim 1, wherein the interlockfeature comprises: a second sensor contained within the lid, the sensorand second sensor preventing operation of the motor and blade assemblywhen the lid is not positioned on the blending container.
 10. Theblending container of claim 9, wherein the sensor comprises a magnet andthe second sensor comprises a reed switch.
 11. The blending device ofclaim 10, wherein the reed switch indicates when the magnet in the lidis in proximity to the reed switch to indicate that the lid ispositioned on the blending container.
 12. A blending device comprising:a base comprising a motor; a blending container operatively positionableon the base, the blending container comprising a blade assembly, whereinthe motor drives the blade assembly; a lid selectively attached to theblending container; a wireless controller positioned in the blendingcontainer, the wireless controller configured to communicate with awireless device via near field communication to receive a recipe fromthe wireless device, and configured to: communicate with the base vianear field communications to facilitate execution of the recipe, receivea command from the wireless device to start the motor, and start themotor in response to receiving the command; an interlock featurecontained within the blending container and the lid, the interlockfeature preventing operation of the blade assembly when the lid is notpositioned on the blending container.
 13. The blending device of claim12, wherein the interlock feature comprises: a first sensor containedwithin the blending container; a second sensor contained within the lid,the first and second sensors preventing operation of the motor and bladeassembly when the lid is not positioned on the blending container. 14.The blending container of claim 13, wherein the first sensor comprises amagnet and the second sensor comprises a reed switch, the reed switchindicates when the magnet in the lid is in proximity to the reed switchto indicate that the lid is positioned on the blending container.
 15. Ablending device comprising: a base comprising a motor; a blendingcontainer operatively positionable on the base, the blending containercomprising a blade assembly, wherein the motor drives the bladeassembly; a lid selectively attached to the blending container; awireless controller positioned in the blending container, the wirelesscontroller configured to communicate with a wireless device via nearfield communication, wherein the wireless controller is configured tocommunicate with the wireless device to receive a recipe from thewireless device, and configured to receive a command from the wirelessdevice to start the motor; an interlock feature contained within theblending container and the lid, the interlocking feature preventingoperation of the wireless controller when the lid is not positioned onthe blending container.
 16. The blending device of claim 15, wherein theinterlock feature prevents operation of the blade assembly when the lidis not positioned on the blending container.
 17. The blending device ofclaim 15, wherein the interlock feature prevents operation of the motorwhen the lid is not positioned on the blending container.